Pompano Beach Constructs New Lifeguard Stand

POMPANO BEACH — As part of an ongoing effort to increase lifeguard protection for beach- goers who enter the water, the city is constructing a lifeguard stand on the northern end of Pompano Beach.

Aquatics supervisor Doris Chalifoux said the new stand, scheduled for completion by month`s end, is part of a ``master plan`` to have the main area of the public beach that extends about 1,000 yards covered with lifeguards.

``Whenever you have any area that is not covered, it can be a problem,`` Chalifoux said, ``particularly during the tourist season, when we get a lot of people using (the north) end of the beach.``

There currently are six stands on the entire beach, she said, each 100 yards apart as recommended by the Florida Department of Recreation.

But even with the new guard post, there still will be a need for more stands to cover the last 300-yard stretch of beach to the north.

Chalifoux said officials hope to comply with the state`s recommendations by adding a stand each year.

``It just takes time (and money),`` she said. ``For each one we build, we have to have personnel to cover it.``

With the recent addition of an employee to help handle the soon-to-be- completed lifeguard station, the city now employs 12 lifeguards and a chief who directs the staff at the beach.

Chalifoux said the additional stand should be completed just in time to deal with the big crowds that usually frequent the beach during the summer.

``It`s another busy season,`` she said. ``The kids are out of school.``

For many of the regulars, however, the additional stand will have little significance.

Lighthouse Point resident Laater Leager said she spends most of her morning sunbathing and dipping in the cool ocean waters, but only on the south end of the beach.

``I can park my car (in the lot) and walk right on to the beach,`` she said. ``But you have to get here early. Otherwise, you won`t have a parking space.``

Leager said she usually arrives about 8 a.m.

Chalifoux denied suggestions that officials were constructing the new lifeguard stand to attract more people to the north beach area.